Pump the Brakes There, Father Time

Pump the Brakes There, Father Time

Posted on Sep 17, 2015
By St. Luke's, Duluth, MN

Published in the Duluthian magazine, September/October 2015

Pump the brakes there, Father Time.

Small things that can make a big difference for your skin

We’ve all been there. Maybe we didn’t get enough sleep. Maybe
we’ve been on the go too many days in a row. Regardless, there is
a very specific feeling that comes when we look in the bathroom mirror,
see our reflection, pause, look closer and think to ourselves: “How
did we get
here?”

Aging, they say, happens two ways: slowly, and then quickly. And while
other aging axioms, like “age is just a number” and “you’re
only as old as you feel” are true, some days it can feel like our
skin didn’t get the memo.

When it comes to helping people take care of their skin, Michelle Bohlman
has literally seen it all. As an Aveda Institute-trained certified aesthetician
at St. Luke’s Plastic Surgery Associates, Michelle helps clients
take better care of their skin and, in doing so, erase the effects of
years of sun damage and aging.

The damaging effects of the sun

When it comes to our appearances, while there are some factors (genetics
is a biggie) that are outside our control, there are many things we can
and should do to maintain optimal skin health and look the way we want to look.

According to Michelle, our skin’s Enemy Number One? “Without
a doubt, the sun. The sun prematurely ages the skin and causes unsightly
blotches and spots as well as causes skin cancers and other damaging effects.”

Tanning beds are a particularly bad idea, she said. “People who grew
up in the ‘tanning bed generation’ and voluntarily subjected
themselves to excess UV rays are now beginning to experience the damaging
effects of the sun. We are seeing a lot of cancers in younger people.”

In order to maintain healthy (and healthy looking) skin as we age, she
said, people need to start young. “Looking great in our 50s and
60s starts in our 20s,” she said. “If I could recommend just
one thing that people can do to take care of their skin and improve their
appearance, it would be to use a lotion with sunscreen
every day.”

It’s the little things

While preventing UV damage is essential for everyone from the youngest
kid to the oldest adult, once sun damage has occurred, there are a host
of minor procedures that can help turn back the clock. Dr. Wade Kubat,
a plastic surgeon at St. Luke’s, said, “My first goal is to
help people look like their best self—not like someone else.”

The most common patient request, he said: “People want to look the
same age they feel. Our job is to help them roll back the clock, in a
way that is both subtle and natural.”

According to Dr. Kubat, the most effective treatments are, not surprisingly,
the most popular:

Laser: “We use a BBL (Broad Band Light) laser to target pigmentation and
redness. The laser is a great anti-aging treatment. Patients who come
in three to four times over a ten-year period can actually look younger
than when they first started.”

Laser Resurfacing: “This procedure exfoliates the outer layer of dead skin. The result
is skin that has a youthful, healthful glow that is so sought after.”

Botox: “It seems like every day, the medical world is finding new uses for
Botox. In our world, it is particularly effective in erasing wrinkles
and smile lines.”

Fillers: “Fillers are a great way of adding firmness and fullness to areas
of your face, creating a more youthful appearance.”

Stay hydrated

On a final note, Dr. Kubat stressed the importance of staying properly
hydrated. “It almost seems too easy, but drinking enough water every
day—especially in winter—is a simple way to improve the appearance
and resilience of your skin.” Dr. Kubat recommends drinking 128
ounces of water per day.

With proper hydration, moisturizing and protection from the sun, you can
keep your skin looking healthier and keep your appearance looking more
youthful. And small procedures can assist in rolling back the hands of
Father Time. “Our goal,” said Dr. Kubat, “is to help
people look refreshed and youthful. The beauty is there. We just help
bring it out.”